Untitled Maquette
Matthew Frere-Smith (1923 - 1999)
Category
Art / Sculpture
Date
circa 1962 - 1965
Materials
Metal and wire
Measurements
226 x 226 x 226 mm
Place of origin
Great Britain
Order this imageCollection
2 Willow Road, London
NT 112573.1
Summary
A metal sculpture by Matthew Frere-Smith (1922-2002), a maquette or model for a larger work. A series of horizontal and vertical metal poles arranged perpendicularly in three dimensions to each other, forming a latticework structure. The ends of the poles united by lengths of rigid wire soldered to their ends. Painted grey. Mounted on a rectangular block of pine wood.
Full description
The sculptor Matthew Frere-Smith (1923-1999) worked for Ernö Goldfinger on one of his major post-war projects, the complex at the Elephant and Castle in London known originally as Alexander Fleming House (now Metro Central Heights), built 1959-67. Frere-Smith made two signs in the form of a stylised elephant with a castle on its back to go over the entrances of the pub that formed part of the complex; these signs have recently disappeared. Goldfinger appears to have acquired three works by the artist at Frere-Smith’s one man show held in 1965 at the Drian Galleries in Porchester Place, Bayswater, London. It was during the 1960s that Frere-Smith began to work in a purely abstract style mainly employing metal and wire, exhibiting at the Alwin and Drian Galleries. Jeremy Warren, 2018
Provenance
‘Matthew Frere-Smith’, Drian Galleries, 1965, no. 22 or 23. Acquired by Ernö Goldfinger for c. £12. Bequeathed to the National Trust by Ernö Goldfinger (1902-1987) and Ursula Ruth Blackwell, Mrs Ernö Goldfinger (1909 - 1991), formally acquired in 1994.
Credit line
National Trust Collections (2 Willow Road, The Ernő Goldfinger Collection)
Makers and roles
Matthew Frere-Smith (1923 - 1999), sculptor
References
Matthew Frere-Smith, Sculpture (ex. cat.), London 1965; venue: Drian Galleries, London 1965, No. 22 or 23